Back From Iceland, But Can't Stop Thinking About the Lobster

 We're back from an incredible journey.  Iceland is such a beautiful country with ever changing landscapes and scenery that stimulates the imagination.   The people speak English though I had lots of fun trying to say words like Snaefellsness or Vatnjokull but mainly stuck with English with the exception asking for a kleina (yum) or saying  "takk fryrir" which means thank you.  

We spent a lot of time driving, both on and off the Ring Road.  After a couple of days in Reykjavik, we drove the southern coast to a tiny harbor town called Hofn.  In this little village we enjoyed spending time in local hangouts, visiting secret waterfalls, soaking in the local "hot pot" or geothermal spa, taking private walks on the beach and going to a secret place where seals sometimes hide out.  We even found a miniature viking village that was built as a film set for an upcoming movie and series about the vikings.  

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Hofn is a place well-known for its langoustine and while there, we feasted.  One of our favorite restaurants during the trip was a place called Humarhofnin.

A brother and sister own the restaurant.  The brother works in the kitchen and the sister serves, visits with clients and grows the herbs used in their cooking (pictured in the restaurant window).

The owners were delightful people and because of our love for lobster, we got a private tour of the restaurant and a few details on their cooking techniques.  

The black sauce you see below is unbelievable.  It's served as a dipping sauce to accompany the grilled langoustine.  It really should be bottled and sold.  The pink sauce is good but doesn't begin to compare with flavors of the black sauce.

There's another place in town that in travel guides is well-known for its lobster pizza and let me tell you it is scrumptious.  The chef has just published a cookbook which is a wonderful guide to the cuisine of the region of Vatnakojull (aren't Icelandic words interesting) and Iceland in general. 

Of course I brought home an autographed copy! 

Closer to Reykjavik, in a coastal village called Stokkseyri, we dined in a well-known restaurant called Fjorubordid.  It has been featured in the New York Times and has been visited by a number of folks you might know, like Martha Stewart and Bette Midler.  

Yes, the lobster soup is magical but in my opinion the best place for a langoustine is Humarhofnin in Hofn.  I hope you get to visit.